Better Than Summer: A Marriage Before Love Romance - Chapter 12

They were better suited for flirtation than sentimentality…

She worked a little overtime. Nearly 7:30 pm, Lin Muning tapped on Shen Tingxia’s desk. “Tingxia-jie, time to go home.”

Shen Tingxia was still staring at the spreadsheet on her screen. Hearing Lin Muning’s voice, she instinctively asked, “What time is it?”

Even as she asked, she glanced at the time in the bottom right corner. Simultaneously, a male voice sounded beside her: “Seven twenty-four.”

It was an online document; no need to save. She closed the page, then quickly shut down her computer. She hadn’t paid attention to the time – she was supposed to have dinner with the brother and sister tonight.

Shen Tingxia looked up and scanned the office. Only she and Lin Muning were left in their department.
As she packed her things, she asked, “Why haven’t you left yet? What are you waiting for?”

Lin Muning leaned sideways, a large palm braced on the desk, joking, “You’re working so hard, how could I possibly leave?”

Shen Tingxia stood up, bag in hand. “I wasn’t trying to outwork you.”
She just felt the data wasn’t quite right. The conclusions she drew after analyzing it differed from her initial thoughts. She’d gotten too absorbed and forgotten the time.
Besides, she really hated this hustle culture – whether pushing others or herself. What was the point? It probably only created anxiety…

Lin Muning had actually been waiting to ask her out to dinner, but before he could speak, Shen Tingxia declined: “Got something on, gotta go. You should head out too.”
He watched Shen Tingxia’s retreating back, smiled wryly, and shook his head.

Shen Tingxia didn’t delay any longer. She drove straight to Xi Chengnan’s place.
At his door, she looked at the fingerprint/passcode lock. She still hadn’t memorized the code. Pulling out her phone, she scrolled through their chat history to find it, thinking she really ought to register her fingerprint another day.

Opening the door, she saw lights on inside. After changing her shoes and walking in, she locked eyes with Xi Sinan, who was in the kitchen.
Seeing his sister, Shen Tingxia forced a small smile.
Before she could speak, Xi Sinan called out: “Sister-in-law.”
Shen Tingxia had been called “sister,” “auntie,” even “ma’am,” but no one had ever called her “sister-in-law.” She froze for a moment, then responded, “Hmm.”

Previously, Xi Chengnan had always been present when Shen Tingxia visited. But now, the space visible to her held only her and Xi Sinan. It was awkward. She peered further inside, but the girl’s voice reached her: “My brother went out to buy something.”
Shen Tingxia paused for a second, focusing. Xi Sinan was tidying greens in the kitchen. Shen Tingxia walked over, stood outside the island counter, and asked, “Need any help?”
Xi Sinan placed the bunch of caitai (Chinese flowering cabbage) she was holding onto the countertop, setting a plate beside it. “My brother just asked me to trim the vegetables. He said he’d do the rest when he got back.”
Shen Tingxia nodded and stood upright by the counter. She extended her hands – untouched by kitchen work and adorned with manicured nails – and began trimming the vegetables alongside Xi Sinan, though it was mostly for show.
She’d seen this vibrant green vegetable before, probably eaten it too, but couldn’t remember its name. It looked clean and fresh. She watched Xi Sinan snap sections off, unsure exactly what she was doing.
Xi Sinan saw Shen Tingxia snapping off all the leaves, leaving only the thin stems. Demonstrating, she told the woman opposite her, “Just snap the stem in the middle. One leaf with a bit of stem is fine. Sister-in-law, maybe I should just do it.”
Shen Tingxia gave a strained smile, embarrassed, and obediently stopped.
Kitchen tasks were mostly beyond her. Better not to cause more trouble.

“Sister-in-law, I’m sorry,” Xi Sinan said as she continued trimming. “I shouldn’t have pretended to be my brother’s girlfriend last time we met. That day you said you brought him wine, but my brother doesn’t drink at all. And you said he was your teacher, but you had manicured nails – a doctor couldn’t possibly have those.”
Shen Tingxia wasn’t exactly an introvert, but right now she wished she could crawl into a hole.
Xi Sinan continued, “I thought your relationship was unusual, but neither of you clarified anything. On the way back, I even asked my brother if you were his girlfriend. He said no, so I didn’t think much of it. Who knew you just hadn’t gotten back together yet, you weren’t officially dating at the time. Still, Sister-in-law, thank you for not exposing my terrible acting and letting me save face.”
Hearing Xi Sinan’s explanation, Shen Tingxia understood the whole story.
What right did she have to accept this girl’s “sorry” and “thank you”? They were the ones who owed her an apology. Xi Sinan was the innocent party here.
Before Shen Tingxia could respond, the door opened. Xi Chengnan walked in carrying seasonings.
Shen Tingxia breathed a sigh of relief. She turned her head towards Xi Chengnan and offered a gentle smile. “You’re back.”
Xi Chengnan gave a noncommittal “Hmm” as he walked in. His gaze inadvertently fell on the mess of caitai strewn across the island counter. He picked up a few leaves, a smile playing on his lips. “Is this the ‘trimmed’ vegetable?”
“…” Shen Tingxia owned up. “My doing.”
Xi Chengnan looked at Shen Tingxia and chuckled. He set down the seasonings, took off his coat, and casually handed it to her.
Shen Tingxia naturally took it and held it in her arms.
Xi Chengnan rolled up his sleeves and addressed the two women. “You two go wait outside. I’ll handle this.”
Shen Tingxia had wanted to escape the kitchen for a while. She didn’t stand on ceremony. After hanging up Xi Chengnan’s coat, she sat down on the sofa. Immediately, she heard Xi Sinan say, “Brother, let me help you.”
Even though she and Xi Chengnan were legally married, why did she suddenly feel like a third wheel intruding on their sibling bond?
Shen Tingxia frowned, perplexed.
She grabbed the remote, turned on the TV, and randomly played a movie. The sounds from the kitchen and the screen filled the living room, easing her awkwardness.

She assumed Xi Chengnan, focused on cooking, wouldn’t pay her any more attention. Unexpectedly, he brought her a bottle of room-temperature sparkling water, reminding her that soda water was good for her stomach.
The gesture and the words felt so familiar, as if they knew each other intimately, truly reunited lovers.
But whether they were or not, they both knew the truth.
Shen Tingxia found herself glancing back at them occasionally, though she wasn’t sure what she was looking for.
She noticed Xi Sinan genuinely knew how to cook. In contrast, her own younger siblings couldn’t cook at all, washing dishes was the most they’d do. She was even more impressive – she didn’t wash dishes, avoided the kitchen entirely.
Shen Tingxia clicked her tongue mockingly and shook her head.

Soon, the table was set with three meat dishes, one vegetable dish, and a lotus root and pork rib soup.
After washing their hands, the three sat down to eat.
With Xi Chengnan present, Shen Tingxia’s discomfort vanished completely.
Xi Sinan announced, “Brother, my classmate and I have already rented an apartment. We’ll move in this weekend. I start my hospital internship next week.”
Xi Chengnan looked at his sister in surprise. “So soon? Didn’t you just tell me yesterday?”
Xi Sinan replied calmly, “Soon? From yesterday morning until now, that’s two whole days.”
Shen Tingxia, hearing this, was shocked.
This wasn’t soon?!
When she was an intern looking for a place, she’d dragged it out for a whole month before finally renting something.
Xi Chengnan pressed further, “Where did you rent? Is the neighborhood security good? Do you have any money left after renting…?”
Shen Tingxia realized he was a truly dutiful older brother, far better than she was as an older sister.
Xi Sinan answered her brother’s questions one by one, assuring him they’d rented through a platform to avoid shady agents.
But Xi Chengnan still wasn’t entirely reassured. “After dinner, when I take you back, I’ll swing by to take a look first.”
Xi Sinan agreed, “Okay.”
Shen Tingxia didn’t talk much. The conversation was mainly Xi Sinan and Xi Chengnan sharing updates. Shen Tingxia only spoke up when occasionally prompted. It was clear Xi Sinan was a lively young woman who loved life.

After dinner, they sat for a while to let the food settle. Around 9 PM, Xi Chengnan got up to clear the table. After starting the dishwasher, it was exactly nine o’clock.
He walked out of the kitchen to where Shen Tingxia and Xi Sinan were wiping the table. “Leave that for now. Let’s get you back first. I’ll finish cleaning up when I return.”
“Almost done wiping,” Xi Sinan said.
But Shen Tingxia stopped. She straightened up and looked at him, mouthing silently: “Should I come?”
Xi Chengnan pursed his lips slightly, also without sound. Shen Tingxia understood: Go.
Go…
Well, go it was then.

Down in the parking garage, Shen Tingxia didn’t know where Xi Chengnan parked. Following them to the car, she saw Xi Sinan’s hand already on the passenger door handle. Without pulling it open, Xi Sinan withdrew her hand, took two steps back, and opened the rear door instead.
Shen Tingxia, who had paused, walked over. She didn’t go to the driver’s side either but got into the back seat, sitting beside Xi Sinan.
Though slightly awkward, she sensed Xi Sinan’s sensitivity and felt this small gesture was a way to express a little apology.
Xi Chengnan, standing by the door, saw it all. He needed to find time for another meal alone with Xi Sinan to tell her she didn’t need to be so cautious.
Fortunately, Shen Tingxia was decent enough to meet Xi Sinan’s sensitivity halfway.

Following the address Xi Sinan provided, Xi Chengnan drove to the rental apartment.
The complex was new, with security guards at the main gate requiring swipe cards for entry. The security seemed adequate. The walk from the parking spot outside the complex to the apartment door wasn’t far. Streetlights and decorative lighting kept it from being too dark. The lock was a standard keypad lock. The apartment itself was a two-bedroom, one-bathroom with a living room and kitchen. Overall, it was fine.
After the inspection, Xi Sinan asked her brother triumphantly, “So? Not bad, right?”
Xi Chengnan neither nodded nor shook his head, answering ambiguously, “It’s okay.”
It was just that the generic rental furniture made the place look a bit like a showroom.
Shen Tingxia, comparing it mentally to the first place she ever rented, looked at Xi Chengnan incredulously. “This is just ‘okay’? Sure, it can’t compare to where we live, but this is really good! The first place I rented was way worse than this.”
When Xi Chengnan heard her say “we,” he glanced at her almost imperceptibly.
Her gaze then shifted back to Xi Sinan. She gave a thumbs-up, affirming her choice. “Impressive.”
Xi Sinan smiled faintly. She was starting to like this sister-in-law.

They didn’t stay long. Xi Chengnan drove his sister back to her university campus. Shen Tingxia smoothly moved to the passenger seat.
The two people in the car looked in the same direction, their gazes fixed on the same figure.
Only when Xi Sinan’s figure disappeared from view did they withdraw their gazes.
Xi Chengnan pulled out his phone and transferred ten thousand yuan to Xi Sinan.
Watching her walk away just now, he suddenly felt that the little sister who used to trail after him everywhere had grown up. She could cook her own meals, rent her own apartment. Soon she’d start her hospital internship, and in the not-too-distant future, she’d be independently treating patients, performing surgeries…
He felt an indescribable mix of emotions.

Putting his phone away, Xi Chengnan didn’t start the car immediately. Instead, he turned his head and called the woman beside him: “Shen Tingxia.”
Shen Tingxia had just fastened her seatbelt and responded distractedly, “Hmm?”
“I owe you an apology.”
Shen Tingxia was surprised. She looked at him, puzzled. What was he apologizing for all of a sudden?
“Last night, I shouldn’t have said ‘don’t bully my sister.’ It was…”
Hearing Xi Chengnan’s serious explanation felt strangely unfamiliar to Shen Tingxia. Flirtation suited them better than sentimentality.
So she interrupted him before he could finish. “It’s fine. Your wife is magnanimous. She forgives you.”
Xi Chengnan swallowed the words on the tip of his tongue. The corner of his left lip quirked up slightly. He started the car to take Shen Tingxia home.

He had a habit of seeing people to their doorstep, not just the gate of the complex.
He’d only dropped Xi Sinan at the university gate because outside vehicles weren’t allowed in freely.
This time was no exception.
But unexpectedly, outside Shen Tingxia’s apartment door, they found her mother sitting in the doorway.

“Mom! What are you doing here?”
Shen Tingxia’s voice carried a barely perceptible tremor.